Motivations and Barriers for Cross-Cultural Volunteering Among International Students: A Study at the University of Sopron, Hungary

Othman, Nechirvan and Bartók, István János (2024) Motivations and Barriers for Cross-Cultural Volunteering Among International Students: A Study at the University of Sopron, Hungary. GAZDASÁG ÉS TÁRSADALOM, 17 (3). pp. 5-25. ISSN 0865-7823

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Abstract

This study explores the motivations and barriers influencing inter-national students’ participation in cross-cultural volunteering at the Univer-sity of Sopron, Hungary. A quantitative approach was employed, using an adapted questionnaire, to gather data on volunteering experiences, motivati-ons, and barriers. A total of (53) International students responded to the questionnaire. The results show that while international students recognize the benefits of volunteering such as enhancing teamwork skills, community integration, and personal fulfilment, their engagement in voluntary activities significantly decreases after arriving in Sopron. Key motivations identified include career development, personal growth, and a desire to contribute to the host community. However, barriers such as language challenges, lack of accessible information, and academic pressures hinder participation. The findings underscore the importance of addressing these obstacles to improve volunteer engagement and integration within the host community. Recom-mendations for future volunteer programs and institutional support are pro-vided, aimed at fostering greater participation among international students.JEL Codes: I23, J24, L31

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